Sunday, February 5 SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN AND PHARISEE
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

FEAST OF THE THREE HIERARCHS

On the 30th of January we celebrate the memory of three great and very outstanding bishops, teachers, preachers and Fathers of the Eastern Church: St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian and St. John Chrysostom. Among our people this feast is known as the feast of the “Three Holy Hierarchs”. These three hierarchs-bishops were giants of faith, courage, holiness and learning. They handed down to us the pure faith of the Council of Nicea; they expounded the dogmas of the Holy Trinity, Christ’s Divinity and the Holy Eucharist Because of their great merits, in her liturgy our Eastern Church calls them peers of the Apostles, instruments of the Holy Spirit, pillars of the Church and universal teachers of the whole world. All three lived in the fourth century – the golden age of the Christian faith. St. Basil and St. Gregory were sons of Cappodocia in Asia Minor, intimate friends of approximately the same age. St. John Chrysostom, an Antiochian, was younger than the other two by twenty years. Apostolic Zeal for the holy faith and salvation of souls united them.
The feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs is one of the very recent feasts of the Greek Church. A great dispute in the second half of the eleventh century gave rise to the institution of this feast. This controversy arose among Christians over which of these three Saints contributed the most to the Church. Some thought St. Basil to be the greatest, others, St. Gregory the Theologian, still other, St. John Chrysostom. Those who were advocates of St. Basil were called Basilians, those of St. Greagory – Gregorians, and those of St. John Chrysostom – Joanites. This dispute was settled by the three bishops themselves. Each one separately, and later all three together, appeared to John, Bishop of the city of Euchaita (a suburb of Constantinople), who was known for his wisdom, learning and virtue, and said: “We, as you can see, are one before God and there is nothing between us that is contrary or controversial; each one of us, differently inspired by the Holy Spirit, taught that which was necessary for the salvation of man. Therefore, there is no first or second among us, but as you call one so shall the others be called. Arise, then, and command those who are arguing over us, not to divide themselves, for as during life, so too after death, our goal is to bring peoples from all corners of the earth to peace and unity. Institute, therefore, the celebration of our memory on the same day, as all three of us are of the same rank before God, and we shall help those to achieve salvation who shall celebrate our memory.”
In 1076, Bishop John did as the three bishops commanded him. However, because holy Church already celebrated the memory of each one separately, he designated the 30th of January as the day for their common feast. In addition to this, he had a sermon in their honor, and composed troparions, canons and sticheras. Our chronicles at the end of 1076 mention the institution of this feast in Greece.

THE ENCOUNTER OR
PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD WITH SIMEON

The Presentation is a feast Commemorating the offering and Dedication of the Infant Jesus by His Mother Mary and St. Joseph to God’s service in accordance with the law that all first-born males of the Jewish people were to be dedicated to God’s service. Since God had chosen the tribe of Aaron to serve the Temple, all had to be redeemed by a ransom. Rich people paid with a lamb, the poorest ones the first-born males of the other tribes had to offer two doves or two quails as a ransom. Joseph and Mary were poor, therefore they offered two doves.
Saint Simeon, a holy man lived in the temple of Jerusalem waiting for the Messia. God promised that he would not die without seeing the newly-born Messia. He received Jesus into his arms, and he called, therefore, “Boho-preiemets.” There was also a pious widow Anna. She saw the Messia and announced His coming in Jerusalem. She is, therefore, called prophetess
The feast of the Presentation was introduced in the third century. In the sixth century it spread throughout the whole Church. During the reign of Emperor Justinian l (483-565) a terrible earthquake harassed the Byzantine Empire. The sea also flooded the continent. Special devotions in honor of the Mother of God were instituted. The prayer was answered and the feast of the Presentation was ratified as a reminder of Mary’s protection over the Church and its faithful.
On this feast candles are blessed. Parishioners use the blessed candles in their homes as a sacramental.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanactuary Light is requested to burn this week – Jan. 28 – Feb. 4 by Mike & Dolores Sinko in memory of Frank Stankunas.
BLESSING OF HOMES: You may still have Father bless your home. If you would like to have your home blessed please call Father Walter at 735-2262 or place your name and address on the list in the vestibule.

THANKS: Many thanks to the men and women who volunteered their services to dismantle the Nativity. These volunteers are very generous with their time and labor. May God bless them dearly.

SYMPATHY: We extend our deepest sympathy to Father Paul Wolensky whose mother Anna Wolensky was called to her eternal rest. May her memory be eternal. Vichnya Pomyat!

POINTSETTIA’S: If you would like to have Poinsettia Plant, please take one from the vestibule. They are still pretty nice, so do help yourself to one or two.

LUC MEETING: North Anthracite Council – League of Ukrainian Catholics will meet on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 6:30 pm at Grotto Pizza, 36 Gateway Shopping Center, Edwardsville, PA. Main agenda item will be hosting Convention 2017 to be held the weekend of October 6, 7 and 8 in Wilkes-Barre. For additional information contact Dorothy Jamula, President at 570 822-5354 or any LUC member of the parish.

Myasopusna 2017: Dinner tickets are now available for the 2017 Myasopusna Celebration, to be held at Transfiguration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church Hall (Nanticoke) on Sunday, February 19, from 12:30 to 2:00pm. Dinner tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling 570-735-4654. Entertainment will follow the serving of the dinner.

Sunday, Jan. 29 SUNDAY OF ZACCHAEUS
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

DIVINE LITURGIES: Father Walters schedule is open for your requests of Divine Liturgies. Remember a loved one either deceased or living, in honor of or for a special intention.

HELP NEEDED: We will be dismantling the Nativity Scene on this Sunday January 22nd at 1:00 PM. Help is needed to do this job. Please, anyone who can come to help in this project will be greatly appreciated. If we have enough workers it can be accomplished in a few hours.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn the week of Jan. 21 – 28 by Arlene Jones in memory of her brother Thomas and Mother Anna Jones.
LUC MEETING: North Anthracite Council – League of Ukrainian Catholics will meet on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 6:30 pm at Grotto Pizza, 36 Gateway Shopping Center, Edwardsville, PA. Main agenda item will be hosting Convention 2017 to be held the weekend of October 6, 7 and 8 in Wilkes-Barre. For additional information contact Dorothy Jamula, President at 570 822-5354 or any LUC member of the parish.

DONATIONS: Our thanks for the donations received to help fray the cost of the Electrical flood lights in the front of the Icons. $100 received by an anonymous donor and $50 each from Catherine and Charles Halloway. Your generosity in this project is surely appreciated. May God bless you with many blessings.

MEAT-FARE SUNDAY: Transfiguration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church announces its 11th annual Myasopusna Celebration, a pre-lenten event, to be held on Meatfare Sunday, February 19, 2017. A dinner of holubtsi (stuffed cabbage), kobasa, roast pork, varenyky (Transfiguration pierogies), kapusta, blackbread, and dessert will be served at the church’s banquet hall at 240 Center Street, Hanover Section of Nanticoke, from 12:30 to 2:00pm, with borscht also for sale, as well beverages. Dinner is followed by entertainment until 4:00pm from the Holy Year Choir, Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble, and Saint Mary’s Traditional Ukrainian Dancers. Doors will open at noon, with Ukrainian crafts on display and for sale throughout the event. Dinner tickets are $15

OUR PARISH FAMILY SUPPER: The Parish Holy Supper will be held this Sunday, January 8th at 1:30. 23 people have signed up to attend and if you did not sign in and plan to attend please notify Ann Beshada or Anna Magill. I am sure you will be welcome. This is a very nice way to get together for good food, fun and songs.
Let’s all be a big family parish. See you there.

NEW LIGHTS: Our thanks to Father Walter for his purchase and labor on installing the new spot lights in front of the Church Icons. The labor was done for God’s house and the cost of the equipment is $222.34. A donation of $100 was received toward this project with appreciation to an anonymous donor. If you would like to help with this cost feel free to do so.

BLESSINGS OF HOMES: Anyone interested in having their home blessed, please submit your name, address and phone number in the collection basket or contact Father Walter at 735-2262 or his cell phone 202-603-2607. The blessings should be finished by February 2, 2017.

CEMETERY DONATION: Our thanks to Daniel Powell for his donation to our Parish Cemetery Fund. May God grant you many blessings.

Sunday, Jan. 8 SUNDAY AFTER THEOPHANY
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

FEAST OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT
On the first of January, the beginning of the civil year, our Church celebrates the memory of the death of one of the greatest and most outstanding Fathers of the Church and doctors of the faith and of monastic legislators – St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea, Cappodocia, of Asia Minor. His person is in every respect extraordinary, noble, illustrious and worthy of praise. He was not only an aristocrat by birth, but also an aristocrat in spirit, character, learning and holiness. The mark of his deep faith, heroic love of God and neighbor, learning and holiness is stamped on the entire Church of Christ, on the monastic life in the East and on our people.
The holy Church justifiably gave him the title “the Great”. He is truly “Great” especially in three areas of his life; as a great archbishop of the Church, as a great legislator of monastic life, and as a man of great holiness.
His holiness, virtues and greatness are extolled by our Church in her services in honor of his feast. Here he is praised as “the holy tongue of Christ”, “the shepherd of Christ’s Church”, “the divine and holy bee of Christ’s Church”, “royal ornament of the Church”, “a rich treasure of learning”, and “invincible defender of the Trinity”. Addressing him, the liturgy proclaims, “You walked the rough road of the virtues”, “your word is angelic bread”, “you are a chalice of innocence”, “for monks a model of virtue”, “a light of piety”, and a “trumpet of theology”.
Immediately after Basil’s death, Holy Church began to venerate him as a Saint and to celebrate the day of death on the first of January.
Because the feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord is celebrated on January 1, the Latin Church honors his memory on the 14th of June, on which day he was consecrated bishop in the year 370. The church service in honor of St. Basil was composed by Anatolus of Constantinople (5c), St. John Damascene and Germanus of Constantinople (8c).
Briefly outlined are a silhouette of the immortal figure of St. Basil the Great and his everlasting significance for our Church and Ukrainian monasticism. With the words of St. Paul, “Brethren, be imitators of me as I am of Christ”. St. Basil summons us all also to imitate his deep faith, his sacrificial and all embracing love of God and neighbor, and his great holiness.

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.

UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS – Plans for having our Ukrainian Holy Supper is for Sunday, January 8th. at 1:30 PM. This affair will be celebrated if we have enough people interested in attending. A sign-up sheet is in the vestibule if you plan to attend. If we do not have enough people interested the affair will be cancelled. So please sign the sheet in the vestibule and the dish you wish to bring as this is a cover dish and the church will supply the Fish and Pyrohys. This supper is all meatless.

SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary light is requested to burn this week Dec.31 –Jan. 7 by Michael Kane in memory of Mary Kulyn.
ALTAR CANDLES: The Altar candles will burn during all services in the month of January in memory of Anna & Thomas Jones requested by daughter Arlene Jones.

CHRISTMAS EVE: We would like to thank Ayla Schappert for helping our parish make a beautiful presentation of Baby Jesus to the manger. May God bless you Ayla.

THANKS: Our thanks to Irene Pstrak and Family for the Christmas Donation of $200 in memory of the Pstrak Family – Maksym, Julia, John, Michael, Joseph, Peter, Ann, Mary and Stephanie. Your donation is certainly appreciated.

THANKS: Through the year, many of the parishioners have volunteered for various projects. The services that you so willingly provide is greatly appreciated – whether it be the cleaning of the Church, snow removal on the sidewalks, ground maintenance, being there for funerals to open and arrange the necessary bells etc., working at our fund-raising projects, choir singing and any other service that is connected to the Church duties. Your volunteer hours keep us in good running – Keep up the good work with God’s Blessings. We cannot forget to also thank the few non-parishioners who come in to help with our Pyrohy Projects. Thanks to all for all you do. May God grant you a wonderful year 2017

Choir To Perform At Scranton’s St. Vladimir Church – The Dzvin Ukrainian Folk Choir of Philadelphia will appear at Scranton’s St. Vladimir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, 430 North Seventh Avenue on Sunday, January 22, 2017 at 3:00pm. The eighteen-member all male group will offer a program of Ukrainian and English Christmas carols. The group is known for its rendering of traditional and contemporary Ukrainian songs with a unique and lively interpretation. They have appeared extensively in Southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland as well as in Canada. The event is open to the public and no tickets are required. Attendees can make a free will offering if they so desire.